William Shakespeare’s 400th Death Anniversary: 20 Interesting Facts About His Life And Plays

A portrait of William Shakespeare is seen in London in 2009. Saturday is the 400th anniversary of the death of the Bard of Avon. Photo: Getty Images

You probably know of William Shakespeare, but do you truly know about him? Saturday is the 400th anniversary of the death of the famous English playwright, so it’s the perfect time to learn a little about the man behind “Hamlet.”

For example, did you know historians aren’t really sure when Shakespeare was born? They know only that he was baptized April 26, 1564, and that at the time babies generally had such ceremonies about three days after their birthdays. Therefore, the date widely considered to be his birthday is April 23. But it could be wrong.

6. Shakespeare’s grave is in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. There’s a curse on it, reading: “Good friend for Jesus sake forbeare, To dig the dust enclosed here. Blessed be the man that spares these stones, And cursed be he that moves my bones.”

7. Shakespeare invented or popularized a number of phrases. Among them are “as good luck would have it,” “brave new world,” “faint-hearted,” “good riddance” and “laughing stock,” according to BBC America.

17. Some theorists believe Christopher Marlowe, a playwright who lived near Shakespeare around the same period, penned at least some of his plays. “Marlowe’s reported death in 1593 was faked as part of an escape into exile, and Marlowe is the author of the plays and poems attributed to Shakespeare,” the International Marlowe-Shakespeare Society’s website has claimed.

18. Shakespeare may have performed as the ghost in Hamlet.

19. His name has been spelled several different ways throughout history, including “Shakspere” and “Shaxberd.”